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Does sex belong in video games?

Tits and ass are incredibly prevalent in modern society. Sex is used to sell products in advertising, actors are shamefully primped into digitally crafted sex symbols and TV shows like Toddlers in Tiaras, stretch the definition of acceptable television viewing. Sex is everywhere, but oddly, not in our games.

With the recent pulling of No Reply Games' sex focused, interactive story 'game' “Seduce Me” from Valve's Greenlight service due to breaking of the terms and conditions – for being an “offensive” title – sex is back in the headlines of gaming websites the world over, all of them asking the question, “does sex belong in video games?”

It could be argued that games purely focused around sex are pornographic in nature and therefore warrant some sort of segmentation perhaps, in the way it is with websites and traditionally with stores that cater specifically to it.

But what about games that just feature sex as a feature or component of the overall experience?

Every time a popular title attempts to put anything sex like in its games that goes beyond a fade to black and some grunts, there's a problem. Look at GTA: San Andreas' Hot Coffee mod, or the blue side boob that appeared for a brief second in Mass Effect 2. It all gets blown out of proportion, people that haven't even played the game or seen footage of the event start screaming “save the children,” and to some it seems as if the world is going to end.

Of course it never does and children are as corrupted as their parents allow them to be. These games have age ratings for a reason and if parents choose to ignore them it's their responsibility to set it right, or at least explain things to their kids so they understand and learn about the adult activity in a constructive way.

But should it be there in the first place? Well the obvious answer would be yes, for a variety of reasons.

1: Taking into consideration the age ratings I mentioned earlier, the average gamer is in their 30s at this point. Not only have they had sex, they've been living with internet pornography for over 15 years. Believe me, unless you're doing a game adaptation of The Serbian Film, this is nothing we haven't seen before.

2: Unless it's Manhunt, where ritualistic killing was censored because... it's the game the lobby groups decided to go after, murder barely raises an eyebrow from anyone. Killing is rampant in games. Just look at the fast Paragon leveller in Diablo III. He's killed almost two million monsters alone. If he can commit mass murder, why can't a game have a sex scene in it?

3: Sex is a part of life. For anyone that doesn't know, it's how babies are made. Shocking I know, but we all began our life at a moment of parental coitus and society is slowly beginning to lose the taboo. It's still there – and enjoyed by many – but the simple fact is that sex shouldn't be considered a naughty thing any more. It's in films, in advertising, television and there is absolutely no reason it shouldn't be in our games.

However, despite these very obvious reasons that sex should be included in games and accepted by the public as a simple part of the artistic medium, the blame isn't entirely on the shoulders of complainers. Game developers could also help the cause out.

Despite the criticism for its leud content, Mass Effect actually has an incredibly impressive and deeply emotional erotic part to it but it is a rarity. More often than not, we get adventurers fucking hookers, or silly quick time sex games or button mashing to fuck harder. This isn't the type of thing that detractors of sexual content in gaming are going to agree with, probably ever.

No I'm not saying that because lobbyists and complainers have stale sex lives that games should be the same, but there isn't a reason that sex can't be used as an emotional connector between characters either.

Games focused around getting the clothes off of a digital woman should be just as allowed to exist in our gaming spheres as the latest AAA blockbuster, but they don't further the cause of sex in video games as much as they could.

Not only do I believe that sex deserves to be a part of gaming, I think it deserves to have more credit as a part of the emotional story within a game. It doesn't need to be your character just getting his rocks off, or a nudge-nudge-wink-wink from the developers saying “we know what you gamers want, digital titties,” but a real way for players to connect with a character.

We talked a few weeks about about how Lara Croft's surviving of an attempted rape could be used to delve into all sorts of new character emotions within a game. How about include a sex scene in that game not long after the rape and make it optional. Have it so that players can decide. If she goes along with it, perhaps Lara is emotionally distracted and merely trying to forget a horrific experience, thereby not building a relationship with the male counterpart. Perhaps if she says no, players can learn something about his character.

Sex is a massive motivator in human life and it should be used in games as well, not just as a treat or a laughable aside, but a real part of the gameplay. It can be part of the story and part of the world the developers create.

It doesn't always have to be, just as not every single racing game has to be a sim like experience, but just now and again I'd like to see some real effort put into sex.

As a 20-year female gamer vet, I prefer not to have **** and *** thrown in my face. I'm sure it's great if you're a loser who doesn't have any interaction with women so game porn and the internet are your girlfriends, but it's flat pathetic. I like that video games are an escape from the CONSTANT SALE OF SEX AND ANYTHING RELATED TO SEX EVERYWHERE I GO INCLUDING THE **** GROCERY STORE. I loved God of War until GoW2 asked me to push X, triangle, O, whatever else to simulate sex with fake f'ing women. It's not about "sex is in real life", IT'S PATHETIC AND IT PORTRAYS MEN AS EVEN MORE PATHETIC THAT THEY HAVE TO DRAW FAKE WOMEN TO HAVE SEX WITH. If you need to **** one out before you play so you can pay attention, do it. Don't make female gamers pay for your perversions just because you can't get laid. Men aren't the only ones playing. If you want to have a sex game, make it a sex game, don't advertise it as action/adventure or role playing or ANYTHING ELSE and the throw some pathetic fake programmed female in there for your equally pathetic character to hump. Buncha pervs, leave the games alone and get a girlfriend.

I would just like to say in 32 year old man who is engaged to a very beautiful woman. I've been previously married and I have kids. I say all that to say there is nothingperverted about me.Sure I don't think sex should automatically be included I think it should be optional for the players. For example mass effect allowed you to be either gender and any orientation, and you didn't have to pursue a romance . I prefer they keep it heterosexual. I don't see anything wrong with it and the article said it in movies where you have no option but to see it. If the maturity is 18 and beyond then there's no reason kids should see it and its described what kind of content is in it.it is a welcome part of the game for me and they could actually do more for example the hot coffee mod should be standard in games I think, if it's marketed towards adults.

Finally someone talking sence I liked the tomb raider idear they could even have a wedding but if developers dident want the partner to remain no reason to put in some Venice overlord to kill them off like poor a lister though that wasn't any Venice phycos I know one point I have to make is sex on digital charactors ain't as bad as some real TV stuff either so mums could lie if there kids somehow saw something easy oh the remaking cakes together ect thought sexual organs might be hard toexplain if games japan based we get sad sad censorship but I understand why still shameful but also project zero could have had goast sex IMO and itsuki well if the age thing ain't to wired never checked there ages of the charactors but not to bad seeing as it's drawings not real law based I can go on but for now I just fully agree with this now my hands are acheing so good post later keep it real peace actually one more thing they should allow choice sex do it when ever no matter the mood of either chactors like sims lame I surpase even forced can be an option but I think some may disagree with that completely only for the strong hearted who don't give a toss a games a game real is real if you know wrong and right in life and gaming and can tell the difference fine who knows maybe it'll lessen some real crimes if it can be done in game graphically and any type style pregnancy in game meat puppet it might stop many assaults though some sick f**ks can't be changed saved huh but that kind of game could open some doors and even increase story lines even more bigger longer games more money made better sales and even more voice actors I meen they opened doors to porn industry once by hireling sasha grey I think her name was for Saints row3 the voice of viola anyway I'll leave it at that enjoy reading anyone sorry if it seems offensive to anyone but I wanted the right to voice my opinions freely

Finally someone talking sence I liked the tomb raider idear they could even have a wedding but if developers dident want the partner to remain no reason to put in some Venice overlord to kill them off like poor a lister though that wasn't any Venice phycos I know one point I have to make is sex on digital charactors ain't as bad as some real TV stuff either so mums could lie if there kids somehow saw something easy oh the remaking cakes together ect thought sexual organs might be hard toexplain if games japan based we get sad sad censorship but I understand why still shameful but also project zero could have had goast sex IMO and itsuki well if the age thing ain't to wired never checked there ages of the charactors but not to bad seeing as it's drawings not real law based I can go on but for now I just fully agree with this now my hands are acheing so good post later keep it real peace actually one more thing they should allow choice sex do it when ever no matter the mood of either chactors like sims lame I surpase even forced can be an option but I think some may disagree with that completely only for the strong hearted who don't give a toss a games a game real is real if you know wrong and right in life and gaming and can tell the difference fine who knows maybe it'll lessen some real crimes if it can be done in game graphically and any type style pregnancy in game meat puppet it might stop many assaults though some sick f**ks can't be changed saved huh but that kind of game could open some doors and even increase story lines even more bigger longer games more money made better sales and even more voice actors I meen they opened doors to porn industry once by hireling sasha grey I think her name was for Saints row3 the voice of viola anyway I'll leave it at that enjoy reading anyone sorry if it seems offensive to anyone but I wanted the right to voice my opinions freely

Finally someone talking sence I liked the tomb raider idear they could even have a wedding but if developers dident want the partner to remain no reason to put in some Venice overlord to kill them off like poor a lister though that wasn't any Venice phycos I know one point I have to make is sex on digital charactors ain't as bad as some real TV stuff either so mums could lie if there kids somehow saw something easy oh the remaking cakes together ect thought sexual organs might be hard toexplain if games japan based we get sad sad censorship but I understand why still shameful but also project zero could have had goast sex IMO and itsuki well if the age thing ain't to wired never checked there ages of the charactors but not to bad seeing as it's drawings not real law based I can go on but for now I just fully agree with this now my hands are acheing so good post later keep it real peace actually one more thing they should allow choice sex do it when ever no matter the mood of either chactors like sims lame I surpase even forced can be an option but I think some may disagree with that completely only for the strong hearted who don't give a toss a games a game real is real if you know wrong and right in life and gaming and can tell the difference fine who knows maybe it'll lessen some real crimes if it can be done in game graphically and any type style pregnancy in game meat puppet it might stop many assaults though some sick f**ks can't be changed saved huh but that kind of game could open some doors and even increase story lines even more bigger longer games more money made better sales and even more voice actors I meen they opened doors to porn industry once by hireling sasha grey I think her name was for Saints row3 the voice of viola anyway I'll leave it at that enjoy reading anyone sorry if it seems offensive to anyone but I wanted the right to voice my opinions freely

...but only if it relies on the storyline of the game (like in Far Cry 3). I would not prefer senseless rape or sex scenes that are not hooked or part of the main story (Pyramid Head raping Mannequins in Silent Hill 2). If it is love or just physical force of attraction, let it be (Mass Effect). But even if you just can do it for fun and to relax from the story, it is fine, too (GTA V).
There is something in this world I don't understand, it doesn't matter how hard I try. Porn is for adults... Blood, Violence and Gore is for adults. So why is it, that there are lots of totally brutal and bloody splatter movies on this planet, where people get ripped apart or ther guts are spread all over the floor... but the maximum of nudity you see are some nipples, or some bush. It is extremely rare to see ******* in Hollywood Movies. Why is nobody out there, that have the guts to do an ***** movie that contains both?
Same with games... The maximum brutality is shown in some (index) games... but nudity, sex or porn are totally rare. Why is that? For example: A game like Dark Age of Conan... that time was very hard, rough, bloody, brutal and forced sex were a daily happening. But there are no MMORPGs out there, where you can **** or rape other players. And I think it will never happen.
If it influences the game in a positive way, sure...put Sex in it. If it is part of the story, okay.

Yes, sex is a natural part of life and if that's how game developers would actually portray it, I'd be totally fine with some sex scenes added to video games. However that is just not at all how it is. There would be sex scenes simply to show naked girls. (as a trophy to the player/main character). Maybe there would be made games with sex scenes actually making sense, but that would be like 3% of it. SO, I say no to sex in games until media (and HUMANITY) stops treating it like [stated above]

I DO NOT want to see sexual content as prevalent as it is in TV shows that will proudly show off at least 3 sex scenes, only one of which was questionably relevant. However, sex isn't something that should really be averted or embraced. I'm fine if it's used appropriately, but I don't want to see some guy's naked *** with a girl wrapped around him in the opening cutscene unless the game I'm playing is Saint's Row or a game just as silly.

So let me get this strait, all the sex in movies and TV, doesn't make people that watch it perverts, but if it's in a video game it does?
I have a girlfriend that I live with, and love very deeply, a 5 year old son, and am an *****, I'm not a pervert, I don't go around trying to look up skirts, or seek out sex in ANY media of ANY type, but I don't run and hide if there is sex or nudity. It's part of life. I'm sorry that you put religion over everything else in life (this type of comment usually comes from religious zealots), but don't tell me how I should live my life, or that I'm a perv just because I'm not offended by sex, nor does it make me, or any else, in your oh so enlightened terms, a ****. If you don;t like the games that have sex or nudity in them, I have the perfect solution, DON'T PLAY THEM!!!!! If you don't want your child seeing it, BE A PARENT!!! Don't blame video games for all the problems some children have, and I personally am sick of people, I'm guessing. like you, who feel that just because you don't like it, or think it's wrong in your eyes, think that they should be able to tell me, an *****, what I should and shouldn't be able to buy or play. People going around trying to get games pulled off shelves, or banned and not be allowed to be bought, telling the world that they should their lives by YOUR STANDARDS AND BELIEFS!!! I'm an *****, I can make my own decisions, I don't need you, or anyone else telling how I should live my life, and I shouldn't be called a perv, a ****, or sick, or anything else you and your church mom groups want to gamers.

I also wanted to comment on the loser statement.
I'm a truck driver, and I make over $125,000 a year, and I have friends that work in finance that make over $200,000, and we all game together, so how are we all losers? Could you explain that one to me? because I'm a bit confused on that one as well.

sex should be allowed for those who wants it.not making games being porn.As long as there is restrictions,like some poeple don't like violence,so they play non violent games,there should always be a choice to not have to play games with sex if not wanted.

Sex should DEFINITELY be in games. I, like so many others< grow tired of the "fade to black" and camera panning crap that usually signifies that the characters are *******.
We are old enough to know what they're doing, we've done it ourselves several times. If games can include mindless violence and very explicit gory death sequences, then sex should be allowed.
I remember back when GTA San Andreas was made, and the goody-goody TWATS said it was terrible because you could pay a prostitute for sex, then kill her and take the money back. They thought this would cause people (especially teenagers) to go out and do it...but did they...? NO! If they were going to do it, they would anyway, despite playing the game.
Sex is already a part of several video games, the most obvious one being a little gem called Singles. This SIMS-style game has one goal, you get your two housemates to form a relationship AND have sex. There's full nudity, sexual activity and even the ability to have male or female homosexxual couples.
Sex and violence in games doesnt change people's behaviour or attitude towards it...in fact, it barely affects us. We know its not REAL.
If they put sex in games, all that will happen is those games will be more popular...for a time.

Only a very small percentage of games have sex, about as small of a percentage as comic books that have sex. It's really a non-issue, if you don't want a game that has sex, play something else. It's like complaining that you don't like hot dogs, if you don't like hot dogs don't eat them, don't tell me not to eat them. You live your life and I'll live mine.

Sex in videogames is pointless and stupid. Nothing kills the mood of me playing a game then having to play an interactive button prompt sex mini games. Any human being who actually has a sex life finds these things dull.
Only Virgins and nerds obsess over it "being a part of nature" and so on to support the fact that they cant get any elsewhere.
Sex in games doesn't drive the story anywhere. Any person playing a game that has sex in it has an IQ high enough to know where babies come from and can figure out that the characters had sex without having to spend 5 mins watching some crappy cgi scene.

"Only virgins and nerds" huh. Is that all you can come up with? Things now-a-days are different but I still see you live in the 70's with your stereotypical close minded brain.
Well then here is one for you. Taking your advice. You yourself must be a virgin and a nerd for you are A: Playing a video game. B: On a PC. C: Are on the internet. Bare in mind all these are considered for losers, virgins and nerds.
How do you like them apples? Welcome to the club you pimple faced nerd. Love how logic can come back and bite you back in return.

*insert Joker meme here*
Pack a 4+ hour game with limitless and gratuitous, violence, murder, blood, drugs, and swearing, no one bats an eye.
Put a single 5 second sex scene in and everyone loses their **** minds!

before i start just t=let me make it clear that I'm not arguing a point here at all, and the fact that I'm not in any way perverted or into objectifying either gender. However, some games are slowly starting to have sex scenes as part of the story already as a very minor part of the game, usually you don't see anything other than the woman's back, and it's a cut-scene. Also the game I'll use as an example is Wolfenstein: The New Order, which is rated R, and also being a cut-scene meaning the player is in no way involved I see it as no different than a c.g.i. film. Also yes I completely agree that sex in a video game should not be something that you as the gamer interact with by pressing any buttons etc. It should be a discreet bonding between 2 characters of the story furthering the progression of the story. So my real question is if sex is already in every other form of media, why can't it be in a non-interactive form in some R rated video games. Also I see no reason why a responsible ***** can't be allowed access to this kind of thing behind closed doors. Also, if you're not happy with the idea of this being available in store, there are plenty of ways for developers to distribute this stuff online directly, and it's already happening.
On another note I personally am stating why can't a sex scene that shows no genitalia and is shown from an angle where all you see is the woman's back, and it's just a cut-scene that is only shown once throughout a game over 5 hours long then what's the harm. And If a parent is dumb enough to buy a game rated R either for themselves and leaves it where their child can get to it, or buys it for their children. I say you are an incredibly irresponsible ***** and bad parent. It's bad enough in my opinion that young children are being allowed to play games rated MA15 with dismemberment, decapitation and sometimes worse. Anyway I hope you don't take what I've said as offensive, as this is just my personal opinion. However if you choose to disagree then that is your personal right and opinion.
Though as to why we aren't seeing much of sex in video games it's is due to an over protective older generation you needs to grow up and let people make their own decisions as to what they want in the games they play by themselves. I mean take Japan for example they produce and sell a wide variety of computer games that include sex, however these are not sold openly in normal stores, and are usually only available online or in a n ***** store. Now I'm only using this as an example, I don't personally play or purchase these products, nor have I. However I'm just stating that for a very honorable and more grown up society that Japan is, I feel that the western world needs to grow up and eventually except the fact that whether or not you personally want this stuff to exist is not your right to decide. If you don't like it, don't in any way go looking for it. But there are plenty of people that however are sick of games being heavily censored and having content removed, due to rating boards trying to control what they want us seeing, which i think is wrong. The rating boards need a firm kick up the rear or out of office and need to be replaced with people of a more modern day generation that aren't the controlling type and will be a lot more lenient on what is allowed to be released. Well that's that, this is my opinion. Have a nice day ladies and gentlemen.

I still think this all stems from America's anti-sex obsession. Everyone toting a gun around? Great!
A little public nudity - somehow awful.
Sex is wonderful, we all want it, we all have every reason to want it, and it's a healthy part of life. If they really wanted to make the world a better place, they'd crack down on violence, and pump in lots of sex to replace it.

Really in GTA San Andreas where you could have sex with that black ***** whenever you wanted was the best part to it. WHENEVER YOU WANT! I mean I didn't like the obligation to be nice to her every 30 seconds but still she was the best. People did that.

Yeah but most times, sex in movies is completely pointless and very distracting to what the movie is about. It should be used more creatively. Like when you watch The Matrix Reloaded, there is no tie in to the rest of the movie when Neo and Trinity are doing it in the elevator or are naked at the gathering of people *******. All it showed was the society was basically feral and unless your some sort of moral obligist, its ******* pointless. Pun unintended. But I agree that complaining about sex is pointless. Its not like you haven't done it or your not gonna do it (referring to young people). Even so, its natural as ****. Pun intended.

OK for one this is a topic dealing with sex in the video games, why can people stay on topic. I for one think its up to the buyers weather or not they want there child playing a game like that. I mean Hello...the rating's are there for a reason, people like always just want something to fuss about. Would I let my child play games with sex in it...no not now because there to young, I actually use the rating system. Now when they become of age sure, at that point they can decide on there own. People need to learn to relax...I mean its not that serious unless you make it as such. The problem is weak parents who are to lazy to check out the ratings on a game, that and always trying to be a friend instead of a parent. Its ok to say no to a child, but anyway getting a little of subject. I think its fine to have sex in games, people just need to grow up for crying out loud. That and get a life...if sex scenes are that serious to you in a game, you might want to really look at yourself buddy. Ijs

Nanny staters need to be shot on site. Most of the laws and and leeway the government has to control and spy on us is because of nanny staters assuming they know what is best for a society or even a sector of it, and that they should give the government powers to censor and shape.
The only law should as such:
It is legal to shoot nanny staters in the head under the concept of culling pests like when deer numbers get out of control.
BTW: your captcha ads are the mos aggravating crap ever conceived, please dive into a pool without water.

If it's a sin, stop sticking your ****** into a woman's love shaft. Maybe then, we won't get inbreded spawns like you coming out. You're obviously a devil in discuss. GO AWAY SATIN!
I mean seriously how can you be telling people what and what not to like? Nobody tells me how to live my life and certainly not from bible humpers like you. See you're even humping your own bible. Save yourself. Chop off your ****** now! Hurry go. Your god has spoken.

You must not have the same God as the saine people. And if your that sheltered how do you even know what video games are? Maybe you should stick to watching veggie tails and leave the majority of the world that doesn't have your issues alone!!!!

You know, we're too sophisticated and ***** to believe in Santa Claus, the tooth fairy and the easter bunny. But we're willing to believe,(and to be willing to kill others who don't believe the way we do), that, assuming there is one, the Creator and maintainer of this vast, universe with inumerable galaxies each containing billions of stars, actually is concerned with the goings on of this this microscopic speck of matter in a rather average solar system in a medium sized galaxy containing billions of stars probably containing millions of inhabited planets. Get over yourself. Man isn't that important in the universe. We're not the crown of creation. Really. And if you think the Creator of this vast universe (and maybe even other universes) cares who you have sex with, it's time to grow up mentally. Because if man is the best there is, this universe is in serious trouble. Study your history. All religious texts were written to control the behavior of the public. I couldn't love a father that I was afraid would beat me every time I did something wrong. How can you love a God that threatens to **** you forever for not worshipping him? I'll never understand that.

name one man (besides jesus) who never felt lust. then you can say that sex doesn't belong in video games. also, sex scenes already pepper our movies and almost all other entertainment devices, so why should we freak when it's in video games.

Actually, I don't feel any sexual drive. I'm a woman, but still. I think Jesus was homosexual, really. He was having affairs with Judas. Judas became jealous, and this is why he betrayed him. Humans are animals. Sex is natural, so why should is be "sinful"? Is breathing a "sin"? Religion has some good moral points, but most of it is just manipulative trash used to control weak-minded rubes.

I'm not any extreme christian so i believe that since God has control over everything (mind you atheists and agnostics etc) And if he creates everything then he created our sexual body parts, sexual thoughts, lives, capabilities, all of these things are created by him. I understand sex before marriage is a sin, but after marriage, nothing is off the table. Not only that but, watching a pornographic video like an obsessed pervert or jerking it to a sex scene in a video game is just lust, not sex. Therefore, it cannot be classified as a sexual act. Unless asexualty in humans is a thing...

I'm not any extreme christian so i believe that since God has control over everything (mind you atheists and agnostics etc) And if he creates everything then he created our sexual body parts, sexual thoughts, lives, capabilities, all of these things are created by him. I understand sex before marriage is a sin, but after marriage, nothing is off the table. Not only that but, watching a pornographic video like an obsessed pervert or jerking it to a sex scene in a video game is just lust, not sex. Therefore, it cannot be classified as a sexual act. Unless asexualty in humans is a thing...